A sea star die-off; homeless people living in cars: Opinion roundup

View full sizeThis May 16, 2014 photo provided by Oregon State University shows an ochre sea star with one leg disintegrating from star wasting syndrome on the Oregon Coast. AP Photo/Oregon State University, Elizabeth Cherny-Chipman

A recent federal court decision struck down Los Angeles' ban on homeless people living in their cars. And the Los Angeles Times urges city officials not to push back but instead to work with nonprofit groups and others to create more housing for the Golden State's burgeoning homeless population.

The Herald and News of Klamath Falls, weary of voters' disenchantment with two-party primaries, lends its support to the Oregon Open Primary Initiative. The newspaper urges the placement of a measure on the ballot so that citizens can soon find themselves mobilized by issues, rather than political parties, and help select the best candidates for public office.

The Oregonian's editorial board, meanwhile, urges city planners working with Google to slow down and be sure the public has a way to help shape policies governing the placement of fiber cabinets near or within sight of residences as the internet company expands its high speed service in Portland.

And the board faults TriMet, Portland's mass transit agency, for infringing on the rights of smokers among its operators.